normal acceleration


normal acceleration

[′nȯr·məl ak‚sel·ə′rā·shən] (mechanics) The component of the linear acceleration of an aircraft or missile along its normal, or Z, axis. The usual or typical acceleration.

Normal Acceleration

 

the component of acceleration for a point in curvilinear motion that is directed along the principal normal to the trajectory toward the center of curvature; normal acceleration is also called centripetal acceleration. It is numerically equal to v2, where v is the velocity of the point and ρ is the radius of curvature of the trajectory. For circular motion the normal acceleration can be calculated from the formula 2, where r is the radius of the circle and ω is the angular velocity of rotation of the radius. For rectilinear motion the normal acceleration is zero.

normal acceleration

i. The component of the linear acceleration of an aircraft or missile along its normal, or Z axis. See normal axis.
ii. The usual or typical acceleration.